IllustrationCONSUMER STATES TRANSMISSION IS NOT ENGAGING ON COLD START. DEALER REPLACED TRANSMISSION. *TT
1997 Dodge Caravan
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most Caravan years
Owner complaints for the 1997 Dodge Caravan are substantially higher than the model-year median of 182.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Caravan years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 113 of 714 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Air Bags. Review the 152 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Power Train. Review the 133 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 123 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
43 crash reports36 fire reports39 injury reports
Power Train complaints
133 reportsI BELIEVE THE VEHICLE IS DESIGN WITH THE KIDS IN MIND, THE CASE HAS BEEN REPORTED AND EVEN SHOW ON ODI BOARD WITH NUMBER ODI ID 515856. THE PROBLEM IS REPORTED TO CHRYSLER BUT TURNED IT DOWN TO BE AN OPTION ON THE VEHICLE WHICH SUPPOSED TO BE ERROR TO THE VEHICLES. I AM MAKING CLAIM TO RECALL THE VEHICLE BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM…
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I BELIEVE THE VEHICLE IS DESIGN WITH THE KIDS IN MIND, THE CASE HAS BEEN REPORTED AND EVEN SHOW ON ODI BOARD WITH NUMBER ODI ID 515856. THE PROBLEM IS REPORTED TO CHRYSLER BUT TURNED IT DOWN TO BE AN OPTION ON THE VEHICLE WHICH SUPPOSED TO BE ERROR TO THE VEHICLES. I AM MAKING CLAIM TO RECALL THE VEHICLE BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM IS THE TRANSMISSION CAN BE EASLY OUT OF PARKING BY KIDS. OTHER CARS EVEN MY 1991 TOYOTA NEEDS YOU TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE BEFORE YOU CAN ENGAGE THE TRANSMITION. D/ CHRYSLER IS CLAIMING THAT IS STATED ON THE MANUAL NOT TO LEAVE THE KID IN THE CAR. BUY THIS IS NOT AN EXCUSES TO PUT AMERCAN KID IN DANGER. I WAS ADVISED TO SELL THE CAR BUT I AM NOT WILLING TO PUT ANOTHER KIDS IN DANGER, PLEASE TALK TO CHYSLER TO STOP PUTTING THIS AS OPTION BUT AS PART OF SAVETY IN THE CAR. WHY ORDINARY CARS IN OTHER MODEL ARE EQUIPED WITH THIS SAFETY IN MIND AND WHY SHOULD WE ALLOW CHRISYLER TO PUT OUR KIDS IN DANGER BECAUSE OF THEIR SELFISH ACT?.FOR A REMINDER , THE PROBLEM IS THE ''TRANSMISSION ENGAGE EASLY FROM PARKING EVEN IF THE IGNITION IS NOT ON OR KEY ON THE IGNITION. IF YOU ARE REVIEWING THIS CASE, AMERICA KIDS LIFE IS IN YOUR HAND. PLEASE HANDLE WITH CARE.THANKS. *AK
CONSUMER STATES TRANSMISSION FAILED, CONSUMER PAID $2,500 TO REPLACE SENSOR AND TRANSMISSION, MANUFACTURER NOTIFIED. *TT
AT 35 MPH, THE PLANETARY GEARS AND TRANSMISSION EXPLODED WITHOUT WARNING. CONSUMER HAS CONTACED DEALER. *AK *SLC
MY TRANMISSION HAS GONE 4 TIMES THE FIRST TIME WAS 3 DAYS AFTER PURCHASE AND PROBLEMS CONTINUE. *AK
WHILE DRIVING TRANSMISSION LOCKED UP, PREVENTING VEHICLE FROM OPERATING UNDER NORMAL CONDITIONS. VEHICLE SLOWLY LOST POWER, AND NEALRY SHUT COMPLETELY DOWN. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
WAS DRIVING VEHICLE WHEN DISTRIBUTOR BEARINGS SEIZED UP AND CAUSED TRANSAXLE TO LOOSEN UP. TRANSMISSION THEN FAILED. VEHICLE IS AN ALL WHEEL DRIVE. TOWED TO DEALERSHIP. MECHANIC INDICATED PLUG ON TRANSMISSION CANISTER CAP HAD MELTED. THIS HAPPENED AT 78,000 MILES. HAD TRANSMISSION REPLACED WITH NEW TRANSMISSION. PROBLEM REAPPEAR…
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WAS DRIVING VEHICLE WHEN DISTRIBUTOR BEARINGS SEIZED UP AND CAUSED TRANSAXLE TO LOOSEN UP. TRANSMISSION THEN FAILED. VEHICLE IS AN ALL WHEEL DRIVE. TOWED TO DEALERSHIP. MECHANIC INDICATED PLUG ON TRANSMISSION CANISTER CAP HAD MELTED. THIS HAPPENED AT 78,000 MILES. HAD TRANSMISSION REPLACED WITH NEW TRANSMISSION. PROBLEM REAPPEARED IN NEW TRANSMISSION. HAD PREVIOUSLY SMELLED SULFUR LIKE FUMES INSIDE VEHICLE. VEHICLE GAVE BIG JERK , AND MADE A LOUD NOISE BEFORE COMING TO A STOP. ALSO, NOTICED GRAYISH SMOKE IN REAR. AT DEALERSHIP, MECHANIC NOTICED PLUG, MADE OF PLASTIC, HAD MELTED LIKE THE FIRST ONE.*AK *SLC
RADIATOR LEAK CAUSING ANTI FREEZE TO ENTER TRANSMISSION AND CAUSE COMPLETE TRANSMISSION FAILURE. $2100 REPAIR AFTER OWNING VEHICLE 1 YEAR, TOTAL MILAGE 58620. SEEMS TO BE A RATHER COMMON PROBLEM. PLEASE INVESTIGATE
VAN IN REVERSE BACKING OUT OF MY GARAGE, WE HEARD A LARGE KNOCK FROM THE ENGINE AND THE VAN ROCKED. AT THIS POINT THE VAN LOCKED UP, COULD NOT MOVE IN REVERSE OR DRIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS LOCKED UP TO THE POINT THAT IT COULD NOT BE PUSHED IN NUETRAL, THE TIRES EVEN SKID ON THE DRIVEWAY WHEN BEING PULLED ONTO THE BACK TO THE TOW T…
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VAN IN REVERSE BACKING OUT OF MY GARAGE, WE HEARD A LARGE KNOCK FROM THE ENGINE AND THE VAN ROCKED. AT THIS POINT THE VAN LOCKED UP, COULD NOT MOVE IN REVERSE OR DRIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS LOCKED UP TO THE POINT THAT IT COULD NOT BE PUSHED IN NUETRAL, THE TIRES EVEN SKID ON THE DRIVEWAY WHEN BEING PULLED ONTO THE BACK TO THE TOW TRUCK. TRANSMISSION REPAIR ($1800) REQUIRED. WAS TOLD THAT "PLANETARY" EXPLODED AND DESTROYED TRANSMISSION, A TYPICAL PROBLEM WITH CHRYSLER 3 SPEED TRANSMISSIONS. CALLED CHRYSLER CUSTOMER SERVICE, BUT DENIED ANY HELP DUE TO OVER WARRANTY AND DID NOT PURCHASE AN EXTENDED WARRANTY (THEY JUST WANT MONEY). IT DIDN'T MATTER THAT I HAD TRANSMISSION SERVICE IN JAN. 01 AND EVERYTHING LOOKED FINE. THIS A VERY DANGEROUS PROBLEM, I HAD MY WIFE AND 2 AND 4 YEAR OLD CHILDREN IN THE VAN. WHAT HAPPENS IF VEHICLE LOCKS UP ON THE HIGHWAY?? PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED.*AK
Official recalls
702V293000 · Air Bags:frontal
Nov 7, 2002
ON CERTAIN MINI VANS, THE CLOCKSPRING ASSEMBLY MAY HAVE BEEN WOUND INCORRECTLY DURING THE VEHICLE ASSEMBLY PROCESS.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS CONDITION WILL MANIFEST ITSELF THROUGH ILLUMINATION OF THE AIR BAG WARNING LAMP, AND COULD EVENTUALLY RESULT IN A DRIVER'S AIR BAG OPEN CIRCUIT, IF THE PART IS NOT REPLACED IN A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CLOCKSPRING ASSEMBLY ON ALL VEHICLES WITH 70,000 MILES OR LESS. AN EXTENDED LIFETIME WARRANTY WILL ALSO BE PLACED ON THIS COMPONENT FOR ALL AFFECTED VEHICLES, REGARDLESS OF MILEAGE. DAIMLERCHRYSLER WILL ALSO REIMBURSE OWNERS WHO HAVE PAID TO HAVE THE CLOCKSPRING REPLACED ON THEIR VEHICLES. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN NOVEMBER 18, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
02V076000 · Seat Belts:rear/other
Mar 8, 2002
ON CERTAIN MINIVANS, SOME TRIM MATERIAL CAN LOOSEN AND DROP INTO THE REAR OUTBOARD SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY, CAUSING THE SEAT BELT TO BECOME INOPERATIVE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE SEAT OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED, INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE TRIM WITH FOAM BLOCKERS AND INSPECT AND REPLACE ALL 3RD ROW SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JUNE 3, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
00V268000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:fuel Injection System
Sep 13, 2000
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MINI VANS BUILT WITH 3.3L AND 3.8L ENGINES HAVE FUEL RAILS WITH NITROLE RUBBER O-RING SEALS THAT CAN DEGRADE OVER TIME. FUEL LEAKAGE FROM THE UNDERHOOD FUEL INJECTION FUEL RAIL COULD RESULT, INCREASING THE LIKELIHOOD OF A VEHICLE FIRE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE CAN RESULT IN A FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A SEAL ON THE VEHICLE FUEL RAILS TO PREVENT EXTERNAL LEAKAGE OF FUEL FROM THE FUEL RAIL CROSSOVER TUBE, SHOULD THE EXISTING O-RINGS CONTINUE TO DEGRADE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON JANUARY 25, 2002. DUE TO THE LARGE QUANTITY OF VEHICLES INVOLVED IN THIS CAMPAIGN, THE OWNER NOTIFICATION WILL BE PHASED OVER THE NEXT SEVERAL MONTHS. HOWEVER, IF A VEHICLE IS LEAKING FUEL FROM THE O-RINGS, THE VEHICLE SHOULD BE TAKEN INTO A DEALER TO HAVE THIS REPAIRED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
98V185000 · Child Seat
Aug 6, 1998
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MINI VANS EQUIPPED WITH INTEGRATED CHILD SEATS. THE SHOULDER HARNESS RESTRAINT ON THE INTEGRATED CHILD SEAT CAN BECOME DIFFICULT TO EXTRACT WHEN THE SAFETY BELT LATCH PLATE BECOMES CONTAMINATED.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS CAN CAUSE DIFFICULTY IN RELEASING A CHILD FROM THE RESTRAINT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL CLEAN THE LATCH MECHANISM. AN EXTENDER WILL BE ADDED TO THE EMERGENCY RELEASE ANCHOR FOR THE CHILD SEAT SAFETY BELTS SO THAT THE RELEASE CLIPS ARE MORE VISIBLE AND ACCESSIBLE TO THE OPERATOR IN THE EVENT THAT THE RETRACTOR MECHANISM CAN NOT BE UNLOCKED. IN ADDITION, AN INSTRUCTIONAL OWNER'S MANUAL SUPPLEMENT CARD WILL BE PROVIDED.
97V200000 · Tires:bead
Nov 13, 1997
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER MINIVANS EQUIPPED WITH P215/65R15 GOODYEAR CONQUEST TIRES MOUNTED ON STEEL WHEEL. THE TIRES CAN EXPERIENCE A SUDDEN AIR PRESSURE LOSS WITHOUT WARNING.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: SUDDEN TIRE FAILURE COULD RESULT IN A LOSS OF DRIVER CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE TIRES THAT WERE MOUNTED ON STEEL WHEELS.
97V070000 · Wheels:rim
Apr 28, 1997
THE STEEL ROAD WHEELS WERE DAMAGED BY THE EQUIPMENT USED TO MATCH MOUNT THE WHEEL TO THE TIRE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A SCORE MARK WAS MADE ON THE WHEEL, AFFECTING THE DURABILITY OF THE WHEEL.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE ALL ROAD WHEELS (AND FULL SIZE SPARE TIRES) WITH NEW WHEELS.
96V215000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:master Cylinder
Oct 29, 1996
THE MASTER CYLINDER REAR SEAL, BETWEEN THE HYDRAULIC FLUID AND THE VACUUM RESERVOIR, MAY NOT SEAL ADEQUATELY ALLOWING HYDRAULIC FLUID TO BE DRAWN INTO THE POWER ASSIST VACUUM RESERVOIR.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: AS THE HYDRAULIC FLUID IN THE MASTER CYLINDER RESERVOIR DECREASES, THE LEVEL SENSOR WILL DETECT THE LOSS OF FLUID AND ILLUMINATE THE INSTRUMENT PANEL BRAKE WARNING LAMP. CONTINUED OPERATION OF THE VEHICLE WITH THE WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED CAN RESULT IN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCES.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER ON ALL AFFECTED VEHICLES. ADDENDUM (4-14-97): VEHICLES INSPECTED PER CHRYSLER RECALL NO. 707 AND FOUND TO BE OUTSIDE THE LISTED SUSPECT MASTER CYLINDER DATE CODE RANGE, MUST NOW HAVE THE MASTER CYLINDER PRIMARY PISTON REPLACED (CHRYSLER RECALL NO. 714).
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
7PE02004 · Rear Seat Belt Malfunction
Opened Jan 16, 2002 · Closed Mar 11, 2002
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seat Belts:rear/other
THIS INVESTIGATION WAS OPENED JANUARY 16, 2002, BASED ON SEVEN REPORTS ALLEGING THE THIRD ROW SEAT BELT RETRACTORS FAILED ON CERTAIN 1997 AND 1998 MODEL YEAR CARAVAN AND VOYAGER VEHICLES.THE REPORTS INDICATED A TAR LIKE SUBSTANCE ENTERED THE RETRACTOR MECHANISM, THUS CAUSING THE RETRACTOR TO JAM OR BIND.IN THIS CONDITION THE SEAT BELT IS RENDERED INOPERABLE, AS THE WEBBING CANNOT RETRACT OR BE WITHDRAWN FROM THE RETRACTORS FOR USE.RECALL SCOPE:THE AFFECTED VEHICLES ARE 1997 THROUGH 1999 DODGE CARAVAN, PLYMOUTH VOYAGER, AND CHRYSLER TOWN & CONTRY BUILT ON A SHORT WHEEL BASE CHASSIS.THE INCLUSIVE DATES OF PRODUCTION ARE JUNE 1996 THROUGH OCTOBER 31, 1999.RECALL REMEDY: DAIMLERCHRYSLER DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE MASTIC SOUND BARRIER PATCHES WITH FOAM BLOCKERS, AS WELL AS, INSPECT AND REPLACE ALL THIRD ROW REAR SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES CONTAMINATED BY THE MASTIC PATCH.
EA01007 · Air Bag Clockspring
Opened Feb 21, 2001 · Closed Nov 22, 2002
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System
There is no summary currently available
RQ00008 · Dc Minivan Fuel Injector Rail Leak
Opened Mar 9, 2000 · Closed Mar 18, 2002
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages
There is no summary currently available
EA99013 · Post Collision Fuel System
Opened Jun 11, 1999 · Closed Aug 10, 2001
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly:filler Pipe And Cap
No summary supplied.
PE99010 · POST-COLLISION Fuel System Integrity
Opened Feb 3, 1999 · Closed Jun 11, 1999
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly:filler Pipe And Cap
There is no summary currently available
EA97003 · Integrated Child Seat Belt Lockup
Opened Jan 31, 1997 · Closed Aug 19, 1998
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Child Seat
THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.CHRYSLER CORPORATION HAS SUBMITTED A DEFECT INFORMATION REPORT IDENTIFYING A SAFETY DEFECT AND OUTLINING THE PROPOSED REMEDY.RECALL NUMBER 98V-185 HAS BEEN ASSIGNED TO THIS SAFETY RECALL.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Child Seat
THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.CHRYSLER CORPORATION HAS SUBMITTED A DEFECT INFORMATION REPORT IDENTIFYING A SAFETY DEFECT AND OUTLINING THE PROPOSED REMEDY.RECALL NUMBER 98V-185 HAS BEEN ASSIGNED TO THIS SAFETY RECALL.
Child Seat
THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.CHRYSLER CORPORATION HAS SUBMITTED A DEFECT INFORMATION REPORT IDENTIFYING A SAFETY DEFECT AND OUTLINING THE PROPOSED REMEDY.RECALL NUMBER 98V-185 HAS BEEN ASSIGNED TO THIS SAFETY RECALL.
SQ96016 · Integrated Child Seat Belt Lockup
Opened Sep 18, 1996 · Closed Feb 4, 1997
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seat Belts:integrated Child Seat
ODI CONTINUES TO RECEIVE COMPLAINTS ALLEGING LATCHING/RETRACTOR MECHANISM PROBLEMS.CHRYSLER'S ASSESSMENT OF THE PROBLEM INDICATES THAT OWNERS OF THE VEHICLES ARE NOT ADHERING TO THE CLEANING REQUIREMENTS FOR THE SEAT.THE SEAT APPEARS TO MALFUNCTION IF CRUMBS OF FOOD OR BEVERAGE RESIDUE ACCUMULATES ON THE LATCHING TONGUE IN THEWELL LOCATED BETWEEN THE CHILD'S LEGS.ODI HAS 19 COMPLAINTS OF RETRACT LOCKUP.SEVEN OF THESE COMPLAINTS REPORT CUTTING THE STRAPS TO REMOVE THE CHILD.TWO OF THE SEVEN CONSUMERS ALLEGE THE CHILD WAS CHOKING.CHRYSLER REPORTS 60 OWNER/FIELD REPORTS WHICH INDICATED 19 HARNESSES WERE CUT TO REMOVE THE CHILDREN.ADDITIONAL INFORMATION IS NEEDED TO FULLY ASSESS THE SAFETY CONSEQUENCE OF THE ALLEGED DEFECT AND TO EVALUATE THE CHRYSLER CORPORATION'S RATIONAL FOR NOT CONDUCTING A SAFETY RECALL CAMPAIGN.